ROBERTO MANCINI last night insisted Manchester City’s title showdown against QPR is not a grudge match between him and Mark Hughes.

The Italian, whose managerial style has been criticised by Hughes in the past, insists only football will matter when his predecessor returns to the Etihad Stadium with his new side tomorrow.

Victory for City would secure a first championship for 44 years but anything less would be unthinkable for Blues fans.

A draw or worse would hand bitter rivals United a chance to retain the crown, and City face a QPR side anxious for points.

Rangers need to avoid defeat to be sure of avoiding relegation without relying on other results and, given the manner of his departure from City in 2009, it is felt Hughes has double incentive to succeed.

But Mancini insists the game is purely about what happens on the pitch. He said: “This is not important – on Sunday we play Manchester City against QPR.

“For me, they are a good team, they don’t deserve to stay at the bottom. They want to do everything to stay in the Premier League and for this reason I think it will be a tough game.

“I don’t know him very well, however, it is not Mancini against Hughes or Hughes against Mancini. It is City against QPR.

“One team plays for the title, the other to avoid relegation.”

City lead the table on goal difference from United heading into the final fixture and know, with an advantage of eight under that criteria, they effectively control their own destiny.

They regained the lead with victory in a tense Manchester derby before they came through a stern test at Newcastle last weekend.

But, as tough as those games were, Mancini feels the hardest assignment still lies ahead of them. He believes City must win because he expects United to have little trouble in their last game at Sunderland.

He said: “When you play the last game, and if you win you can lift the title, it is a big game.

“In this situation we are playing a team playing against relegation. It will be hard, more difficult than Newcastle, more than United.

“Sunderland play for nothing. I am sure they will play 100 per cent, but they play for nothing in their last game.”

Mancini guided City to their first silverware in 35 years with FA Cup success last season but the pressure is now on to end their league drought.

The former Inter Milan boss is proud of his players’ efforts so far but can feel the weight of history and wants to finish the job for the sake of supporters.

He said: “It is a big game for Manchester City because it is the first time after a long time. I am very proud – I think my players have worked very well.

“When you arrive here you can lose or win but when you fight with a top team like United – I am proud of this.

“We would like to win this championship for our supporters. After more than 40 years, for them, it will be very important.”